{"id":177,"date":"2023-05-30T09:07:54","date_gmt":"2023-05-30T13:07:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/?p=177"},"modified":"2024-01-25T15:02:04","modified_gmt":"2024-01-25T20:02:04","slug":"fireplace-built-ins","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/fireplace-built-ins\/","title":{"rendered":"Ideas For Built-Ins Around a Fireplace: The Perfect DIY Addition to Your Home for the Winter Season"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Whenever you\u2019re doing a renovation or an update to your house, there always seems to be the need for some sort of custom cupboards or cabinets.<\/p>\n<p>There always seems to be a space where the measurements and sizes required are just off enough that you can\u2019t really get away with using some pre-fab off the shelf stuff.<\/p>\n<p>Of course &#8211; even if you can find something to fit your space &#8211; that kind of stuff is either crazy expensive or the workmanship is exceptionally terrible.<\/p>\n<p>Or both.<\/p>\n<p>At any rate, it\u2019s not that difficult to do on your own.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em><strong>Even if nobody else does, I have faith that you can do this.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p>Please note that some of the links below may be affiliate links, and if you purchase something I may earn a small commission as a result (at no extra cost to you.)<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 ez-toc-wrap-center counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #000000;color:#000000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #000000;color:#000000\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/fireplace-built-ins\/#Proper_Planning_and_Design\" >Proper Planning and Design<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/fireplace-built-ins\/#Tips_and_Tricks_for_Maximizing_Space_Utilization_and_Functionality\" >Tips and Tricks for Maximizing Space Utilization and Functionality<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/fireplace-built-ins\/#Building_a_DIY_Storage_Cabinet_%E2%80%93_My_Project\" >Building a DIY Storage Cabinet &#8211; My Project<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/fireplace-built-ins\/#Building_a_DIY_Storage_Cabinet_%E2%80%93_Simple_Cupboard_Design_Ideas\" >Building a DIY Storage Cabinet &#8211; Simple Cupboard Design Ideas<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/fireplace-built-ins\/#The_Best_Wood_to_Build_Cabinets\" >The Best Wood to Build Cabinets<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/fireplace-built-ins\/#Lets_Get_Building\" >Let\u2019s Get Building!<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/fireplace-built-ins\/#Plywood_Cupboard_Doors_%E2%80%93_A_Simple_Quick_Solution\" >Plywood Cupboard Doors \u2013 A Simple, Quick Solution<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/fireplace-built-ins\/#The_Best_Wood_for_Built-In_Fireplace_Cabinets\" >The Best Wood for Built-In Fireplace Cabinets<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/fireplace-built-ins\/#Lets_Get_Building-2\" >Let\u2019s Get Building!<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/fireplace-built-ins\/#Plywood_Cupboard_Doors_%E2%80%93_A_Simple_Quick_Solution-2\" >Plywood Cupboard Doors \u2013 A Simple, Quick Solution<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/fireplace-built-ins\/#Benefits_of_Built-Ins_Around_Fireplace\" >Benefits of Built-Ins Around Fireplace<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/fireplace-built-ins\/#1_Its_an_Excellent_Way_to_Add_Decorative_Accents_to_your_Fireplace\" >1. It's an Excellent Way to Add Decorative Accents to your Fireplace<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/fireplace-built-ins\/#2_It_Makes_the_Fireplace_Look_More_Prominent\" >2. It Makes the Fireplace Look More Prominent<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/fireplace-built-ins\/#3_Conceal_Any_Unsightly_Cords_or_Electronics\" >3. Conceal Any Unsightly Cords or Electronics<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/fireplace-built-ins\/#4_Increase_the_Usable_Space_in_your_Home\" >4. Increase the Usable Space in your Home<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/fireplace-built-ins\/#5_Add_Warmth_and_Coziness_to_your_Home\" >5. Add Warmth and Coziness to your Home<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Proper_Planning_and_Design\"><\/span>Proper Planning and Design<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Before we jump into this: don&#8217;t skip the planning stage! If you rush into building your cabinet without a clear idea of what you want and how to achieve it, you&#8217;re likely to make costly mistakes and waste precious time and money. Here&#8217;s what you should do instead:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Start by sketching your cabinet idea on paper or using some sort of design tool (like AutoCad or even Fusion 360 &#8211; which has a free trial). Don&#8217;t worry if you&#8217;re not an artist \u2013 a simple diagram with measurements and notes will do.<\/li>\n<li>Think about the purpose of your cabinet and the items you want to store in it. Do you need adjustable shelves, drawers, hooks, or dividers? Consider all the options and make a list of features you want to include.<\/li>\n<li>Choose materials that suit your needs and budget. For example, if you&#8217;re building a garage cabinet, you may want to use plywood or MDF instead of solid wood to save money. If you&#8217;re building a display cabinet for your living room, you may prefer hardwood and glass for a more sophisticated look.<\/li>\n<li>Calculate the dimensions of your cabinet based on your design and materials. Make sure to account for the thickness of the wood and any hardware you&#8217;ll be using. Double-check your math and measure twice before cutting.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tips_and_Tricks_for_Maximizing_Space_Utilization_and_Functionality\"><\/span>Tips and Tricks for Maximizing Space Utilization and Functionality<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Now that you have a plan in place, it&#8217;s time to make the most of your <span class=\"keywords\">fireplace built ins<\/span> \/ storage cabinets. Here are some little-known tips and tricks that can help you optimize space utilization and functionality, depending on the cabinet style and what you&#8217;ll be using it for:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Use adjustable shelves to accommodate items of different sizes and shapes. You can buy pre-made shelf brackets or make your own with scrap wood and dowels.<\/li>\n<li>Install sliding trays or baskets for easy access to items that are stored at the back of the cabinet. You can buy them online or make your own with drawer slides and wire mesh.<\/li>\n<li>Add hooks or pegs on the sides or back of the cabinet to hang tools, bags, or clothing. You can use S-hooks, bike hooks, or coat hooks depending on your needs.<\/li>\n<li>Create a magnetic tool holder by attaching a strip of magnetic tape to the inside of the cabinet door. This will keep your metal tools organized and within reach.<\/li>\n<li>Make a pull-out cutting board or ironing board by installing hinges and wheels to a flat surface. This saves counter space and hides the board when not in use.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>By following these planning and preparation steps and using these tips and tricks, you&#8217;ll be well on your way to creating a beautiful and functional DIY storage cabinet that will transform your space. Stay tuned for the next section on how to build it like a pro!<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Building_a_DIY_Storage_Cabinet_%E2%80%93_My_Project\"><\/span>Building a DIY Storage Cabinet &#8211; My Project<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/outranking.s3.amazonaws.com\/662416_matt%20hardy\/52793555\/2023-05-23T16%3A00%3A11.685760_20210319_173358.jpg\" alt=\"fireplace built ins\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1440\" \/><\/p>\n<p>For this particular project, I was renovating our house and we wanted to put in a couple of built in cupboards on either side of the fireplace for some added storage and a nice updated look.<\/p>\n<p>As I would be painting the cabinets, I felt that it required less perfection than if I was going to be staining the wood.<\/p>\n<p>My thought behind painting the cabinets was that I would be able to hide any imperfections a lot easier with some wood filler or paintable DAP, whereas using a stain would probably make my DIY sins a lot more noticeable.<\/p>\n<p>But the path you take will ultimately depend on what you\u2019re trying to achieve with your project.<\/p>\n<p>So I decided to go the easier route, as any project that doesn&#8217;t require aerospace level tolerances and perfection is much easier for us mere mortals.<\/p>\n<p>For me, being able to put in a couple shelves was good enough \u2013 I didn\u2019t need drawers or anything like that for this project as these cabinets will be mostly holding a collection of random junk.<\/p>\n<p>Or firewood.<\/p>\n<p>Which is never considered junk when the outside temperatures can drop to -40 or lower in the winter months.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Building_a_DIY_Storage_Cabinet_%E2%80%93_Simple_Cupboard_Design_Ideas\"><\/span>Building a DIY Storage Cabinet &#8211; Simple Cupboard Design Ideas<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>As with any project, there are a few things that you\u2019ll need to get started.<\/p>\n<p>You will need:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2Fm7gEe\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">A Table Saw<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2TcxAUn\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">A Circular Saw<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2DEsDiK\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">A Mitre Saw<\/a> (not absolutely required \u2013 but will make your life much easier)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2OOc5WE\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">A carpenter\u2019s square<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2Dohzp0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bar Clamps<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2DE19tw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">A Pocket Hole Jig<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2RS42da\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Face clamp<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2RWwPNR\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Screws for the pocket holes<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2DDvsjW\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">A Cordless Drill<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2DohT7c\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sawhorses<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2RR9mxt\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Measuring Tape<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2TcZjnN\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Hinge Drill Jig<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2RSfaGT\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Shelf Pin Drilling Jig<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Some of the materials you will need are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2T9NKxT\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Wood Glue<\/a><\/li>\n<li>3\/4\u2033 or 1\/2\u2033 Plywood<\/li>\n<li>1\/4\u2033 Plywood<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2QGDE5L\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Wood Filler<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Paint<\/li>\n<li>Stain\/Clear Coat<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2Dlm5o2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Soft close hinges<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Now, soft close hinges aren\u2019t absolutely necessary, but I thought I would spend the extra money and get them because they\u2019re pretty sweet.<\/p>\n<p>My justification for the additional expense was that: I was saving a lot of money on the project by doing it myself so I felt that I could afford to splurge a bit.<\/p>\n<p>I built my cabinets out of 3\/4\u2033 sanded one face fir and they turned out great. You can use any material you want but I liked using the sanded 1 face plywood as there was less work needed to clean the wood up before I painted it.<\/p>\n<p>Sure, it costs more but I think the savings of both time and hassle of having to sand everything down was well worth it.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Quick Note:<\/strong> 3\/4\u2033 is really overkill for these sort of cabinets \u2013 you could get away with 1\/2\u2033 for sure. If you do go with 1\/2\u2033 just make sure you adjust for any changes in the dimensions needed if you\u2019re following my measurements exactly.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/PDF-Fireplace-Built-Ins-Design-Files.zip\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">If you would like, you can download the PDF drawings I used for this project so you can adjust or modify the measurements as needed for your own design.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Best_Wood_to_Build_Cabinets\"><\/span><span id=\"The_Best_Wood_to_Build_Cabinets\">The Best Wood to Build Cabinets<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Is there a really a \u201cbest wood to build cabinets?\u201d I think it really comes down to what you\u2019re trying to achieve and how you\u2019re wanting to build them.<\/p>\n<p>Some cabinet builders just use MDF as it&#8217;s dimensionally stable, straight and doesn\u2019t want to warp or twist.<\/p>\n<p>But if it ever gets wet, it tends to soak up moisture pretty good and then falls apart.<\/p>\n<p>And for that reason, I wouldn\u2019t use MDF in any sort of environment with water (IE bathrooms).<\/p>\n<p>Aside from MDF, you\u2019re left with various forms and grades of plywood.<\/p>\n<p>Some cabinets use cheaper plywood for the main parts of the cabinets and then wrap all visible areas in either a really nice wood veneer or fairly thin (1\/4\u2033 or less) plywood.<\/p>\n<p>Others make their cabinets using full hardwood plywood. But that&#8217;s incredibly expensive.<\/p>\n<p>For this project, I used sanded one face plywood as it has a nice clean finish and takes less work to clean up before paint.<\/p>\n<p>Keep in mind that if you go this route and end up using a softwood, you will have to be a little more careful when cutting and handling your parts to make sure you don\u2019t dent or scratch them.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>Tip: If you\u2019re using a softwood like I did you will need to use coarse screws to assemble it.<\/p>\n<p>If you are using a hardwood then you will need to use fine screws.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Lets_Get_Building\"><\/span><span id=\"Let8217s_Get_Building\">Let\u2019s Get Building!<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>I\u2019ve shown how I made my built in cabinets with the dimensions below, but you will have to change or adjust these measurements to suit the space you\u2019re building them for.<\/p>\n<p>When I made these cabinets, I put the sanded face of the plywood facing inside the cabinets (so that when you look inside the cabinet you see the nice sanded face).<\/p>\n<p>For the face frame section, I used 1\u2033x4\u2033 pine boards ripped to size so that I wouldn\u2019t have to hide the exposed edges of the plywood.<\/p>\n<p>To hide the end grain of the plywood on the doors, I used wood filler to cover the exposed sides.<\/p>\n<p>You could also use thin strips of veneer or cut strips of pine to cap the ends as well. If you do this, you will just have to account for the extra material and cut down your parts to allow for the extra overall width.<\/p>\n<p>I didn\u2019t go the veneer route as I found it to be very brittle and difficult to deal with. And as I was going to paint the cabinets anyway, using wood filler worked just fine.<\/p>\n<p>If you follow my design exactly, you\u2019ll see that I built a bit of a hybrid system where I combined features of both faceframe and frameless cabinets.<\/p>\n<p>I built a faceframe that extended out past the sides of the cabinet carcasses as this gives you some side-to-side adjustability when it comes to installing your cabinets.<\/p>\n<p>But on the inside of the cabinet, I kept the inside edge of the faceframe flush with the inside edge of the plywood. Typical faceframe cabinets have a lip that goes all around the inside of the cabinet that reduces the size of the items you can fit inside.<\/p>\n<p>I wanted to have all of usable space I could inside the cabinets.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2Dlm5o2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">This is an important detail because even though you are building a faceframe for the cabinets, you will need to buy hinges for a frameless cabinet \ud83d\ude42<\/a><\/p>\n<p>I\u2019ve included the sizes and cut lists below for the cabinets so you can see exactly how I built them.<\/p>\n<p>I didn\u2019t use any fancy dados or anything like that \u2013 just regular <a href=\"https:\/\/timberridgedesigns.com\/what-is-the-best-pocket-hole-jig-what-to-look-for-before-you-buy-one\/\">pocket holes<\/a> and screws. For me, I love the <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2DE19tw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Milescraft pocket hole jig<\/a> as I\u2019ve found the little magnet on it to be like an extra set of hands when you are using a clamp to hold the jig on the plywood &#8211; much easier than the <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2DEjCWI\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Kreg Jig<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>BUT the driver bit and screws that come with the Milescraft are no good. The driver bit is a special shape (IE not a standard bit size) and after making a couple sets of cabinets, I stripped the bit to where it wouldn\u2019t work any more. The little edges of the bit are too fine and not hardened enough to stand up to repeated use.<\/p>\n<p>The solution: buy<a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2RWwPNR\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> Kreg pocket hole screws<\/a>. They use standard drill bit sizes and will still work if you use the Milescraft jig.<\/p>\n<p>So I would recommend getting the <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2DE19tw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Milescraft pocket hole jig<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2RS42da\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">face clamp, <\/a>but use <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2RWwPNR\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Kreg pocket screws<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Another little thing to keep in mind\u00a0 is that when you\u2019re drilling holes for the screws you need to make sure that the holes are to drilled on the side that isn&#8217;t seen (the side opposite the nice side of the plywood).<\/p>\n<p>When screwing the parts together, I found it worked well to clamp the wood together and then put the screws in. This way if the plywood has any sort of bow or warp in it, the clamps can hold everything in place as the screw fastens it together \u2013 rather than trying to have the screw\u00a0 pull the parts tight and align them at the same time.<\/p>\n<p>I went about it in the following order:<\/p>\n<div align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/cabinetsides-min.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-770\" src=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/cabinetsides-min-300x228.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"228\" srcset=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/cabinetsides-min-300x228.jpg 300w, https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/cabinetsides-min-768x584.jpg 768w, https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/cabinetsides-min-554x421.jpg 554w, https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/cabinetsides-min.jpg 1016w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<p>1) Cut the cabinet sides to size &amp; cut reliefs on top and bottom for the toe kick and for the mounting board that goes across the back and is used to mount the cabinet to the wall. Remember, you want the nice face of the plywood on the inside of the cabinets \u2013 so the orientation and where you cut your top and bottom relief matters. Once this was done, I drilled the holes for the shelf pins on the nice side of the plywood to hold shelving on the inside of the cupboards. Then I pre-drilled all the pocket holes on the OUTSIDE (non-sanded face) of the plywood where I would be attaching the face frame, back mounting board, and cabinet base shelf.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/cabinetbase-min.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-771\" src=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/cabinetbase-min-300x228.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"228\" srcset=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/cabinetbase-min-300x228.jpg 300w, https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/cabinetbase-min-768x584.jpg 768w, https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/cabinetbase-min-554x421.jpg 554w, https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/cabinetbase-min.jpg 1016w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<p>2) Cut the cabinet base to size &amp; drill pocket holes on the outside edges of the non-sanded face of the plywood.<\/p>\n<p>3) Cut the back mounting board &amp; the upper mounting boards &amp; drill pocket holes on both ends of the upper mounting boards.<\/p>\n<div align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/cabinetbraces-min.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-772\" src=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/cabinetbraces-min-300x228.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"228\" srcset=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/cabinetbraces-min-300x228.jpg 300w, https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/cabinetbraces-min-768x584.jpg 768w, https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/cabinetbraces-min-554x421.jpg 554w, https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/cabinetbraces-min.jpg 1016w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<p>4) Screw the cabinet base to both of the cabinet sides and then install the upper mounting boards &amp; back mounting board to the cabinet sides. Make sure that the cabinet is square as you do this by using a carpenter square and measuring tape.<\/p>\n<p>5) Rip 1\u2033x4\u2033 pine boards down to size to build the face frame and cut them to length. Then install the face frame around the outside edge of the cabinet base. Remember to keep the inside edge of the faceframe flush with the inside edge of the interior plywood of the cabinet.<\/p>\n<div align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/faceframeparts-min.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-773\" src=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/faceframeparts-min-300x228.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"228\" srcset=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/faceframeparts-min-300x228.jpg 300w, https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/faceframeparts-min-768x584.jpg 768w, https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/faceframeparts-min-554x421.jpg 554w, https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/faceframeparts-min.jpg 1016w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/faceframeassembly-min.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-774\" src=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/faceframeassembly-min-300x228.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"228\" srcset=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/faceframeassembly-min-300x228.jpg 300w, https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/faceframeassembly-min-768x584.jpg 768w, https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/faceframeassembly-min-554x421.jpg 554w, https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/faceframeassembly-min.jpg 1016w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/cabinetbaseassembly-min.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-775\" src=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/cabinetbaseassembly-min-300x228.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"228\" srcset=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/cabinetbaseassembly-min-300x228.jpg 300w, https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/cabinetbaseassembly-min-768x584.jpg 768w, https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/cabinetbaseassembly-min-554x421.jpg 554w, https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/cabinetbaseassembly-min.jpg 1016w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<p>6) Fill any any joints as required with wood filler if required. Sand and paint\/stain as required.<\/p>\n<p>Once all of that was done, I started making the plywood cupboard doors.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Plywood_Cupboard_Doors_%E2%80%93_A_Simple_Quick_Solution\"><\/span><span id=\"Plywood_Cupboard_Doors_8211_A_Simple_Quick_Solution\">Plywood Cupboard Doors \u2013 A Simple, Quick Solution<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>When building the plywood cupboard doors, I wanted to make them as quickly and easily as possible.<\/p>\n<p>Most of the door designs out there involve using special router bits to create rail and stile parts that click together.<\/p>\n<p>But I just wanted a basic shaker style cabinet, so I thought I could simplify the process by making the doors out of one piece of plywood and then gluing strips of 1\/4\u2033 plywood onto the sanded face in order to give the shaker detail.<\/p>\n<p>By having the doors as one solid piece, the doors won\u2019t pull apart at the joints if the wood expands and contracts \u2013 which would cause the paint to pull away from the joint over time as well.<\/p>\n<p>I thought this was a win-win solution because the doors won\u2019t expand and contract and wreck the paint, and it was faster to make them.<\/p>\n<p>All I did was cut pieces of 3\/4\u2033 plywood to the finished size of the door and then ripped strips of 1\/4\u2033 plywood for the shaker detail before glueing it all together. This made the doors 1\u2033 thick when finished.<\/p>\n<div align=\"center\">\n<div align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/doorparts-min.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-776\" src=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/doorparts-min-300x228.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"228\" srcset=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/doorparts-min-300x228.jpg 300w, https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/doorparts-min-768x584.jpg 768w, https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/doorparts-min-554x421.jpg 554w, https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/doorparts-min.jpg 1016w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/doorassembly-min.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-777\" src=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/doorassembly-min-300x228.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"228\" srcset=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/doorassembly-min-300x228.jpg 300w, https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/doorassembly-min-768x584.jpg 768w, https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/doorassembly-min-554x421.jpg 554w, https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/doorassembly-min.jpg 1016w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>After that I used wood filler to hide the edges of the plywood all the way around and sanded it smooth once dry.<\/p>\n<p>To hide the inside edge of the 1\/4\u2033 plywood on the shaker detail, I used a caulking gun with some paintable DAP to both hide the edges and give a little radius to the inside corner of the shaker detail.<\/p>\n<p>I would highly recommend using masking tape to tape off both the top edge and inside edge of the doors before applying the DAP. Leave 1\/8\u2033-1\/4\u2033 of space offset on the inside of the shaker detail when laying out your tape.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>Tip: When applying the DAP, run your finger along the inside edge of the plywood in order to clean off the excess and leave a slight radius. And when I say DAP, I mean any form of paintable caulking.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Once you\u2019ve done that and are happy with how smooth everything is, carefully peel off the tape to leave a nice clean edge.<\/p>\n<p>When that&#8217;s finished, you\u2019re ready for paint.<\/p>\n<p>Now you can install your hinges and mount them onto the cabinet carcasses.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2TcZjnN\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Kreg hinge jig worked really well for me<\/a> \u2013 I just set the location of the jig to the hinge manufacturer\u2019s recommended setting and drilled the hole to the proper depth and everything worked out perfectly.<\/p>\n<p>Once that&#8217;s finished, you just need to screw the hinges onto the doors and the cabinet bases and you\u2019re ready to install the finished cabinets!<\/p>\n<p>Of course, you can make different variations on this design and include drawers as well.<\/p>\n<div align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20200410_083128-rotated.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-778\" src=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20200410_083128-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20200410_083128-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20200410_083128-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20200410_083128-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20200410_083128-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20200410_083128-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20200410_083128-554x312.jpg 554w, https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20200410_083128-1140x640.jpg 1140w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/IMG_0971.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-779\" src=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/IMG_0971-1024x765.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"598\" srcset=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/IMG_0971-1024x765.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/IMG_0971-300x224.jpg 300w, https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/IMG_0971-768x574.jpg 768w, https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/IMG_0971-554x414.jpg 554w, https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/IMG_0971.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><!-- \/\/\n\n\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Best_Wood_for_Built-In_Fireplace_Cabinets\"><\/span>The Best Wood for Built-In Fireplace Cabinets<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n<h3><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/outranking.s3.amazonaws.com\/662416_matt%20hardy\/53057870\/2023-05-29T13%3A19%3A46.111547_built-ins-1080x1159.jpg\" alt=\"Enhance your fireplace with the best wood for built-in cabinets - beautiful and durable.\" \/><\/h3>\n\n\nIs there a really a \u201cbest wood to build cabinets?\u201d I think it really comes down to what you\u2019re trying to achieve and how you\u2019re wanting to build them.\n\nSome cabinet builders just use MDF. You know \u2013 that particle board that's made up of sawdust and glue.\n\nFrom a design and function point of view it's a treat to work with as it's dimensionally stable, is straight and doesn\u2019t want to warp or twist.\n\nBut cutting it produces all kinds of toxic dust that will plug up your nose even when making a small cut if you don't wear a respirator.\n\n(Not that I'd know personally...)\n\nBut a big downside of using MDF is if it ever gets wet, it tends to soak up moisture pretty good and then it begins to fall apart.\n\nAnd for that reason, I personally wouldn\u2019t use MDF in any sort of environment with water (IE bathrooms, kitchens).\n\nMDF aside, you\u2019re left with various forms and grades of plywood.\n\nSome cabinets use cheaper plywood for the main parts of the cabinets and then wrap all visible areas in either a really nice wood veneer or fairly thin (1\/4\u2033 or less) plywood like oak or some other nice wood.\n\nOr they use wood with the veneer already attached.\n\nOthers even go all the way and make their cabinets using full hardwood. But it's incredibly expensive.\n\nAs I mentioned earlier, I used sanded one face fir plywood as it has a nice clean finish to it and takes less work to clean up before paint.\n\nKeep in mind that if you go this route and end up using a softwood you will have to be a little more careful when cutting and handling your parts to make sure you don\u2019t dent them or scratch them.\n\nSoftwood is much easier to cut and install and is less expensive, but is softer and will dent and scratch easier.\n\nAnother think to keep in mind if you\u2019re using a softwood like I did, you will need to use coarse screws to assemble it.\n\nIf you are using a hardwood then you will need to use fine screws.\n\n\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Lets_Get_Building-2\"><\/span>Let\u2019s Get Building!<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\nIn making these cabinets, I used the sanded face of the plywood facing inside the cabinets (so that when you look inside you see the nice sanded face).\n\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/outranking.s3.amazonaws.com\/662416_matt%20hardy\/52793555\/2023-05-23T15%3A09%3A28.033082_IMG_2464.jpg\" alt=\"Level up your fireplace with built-in shelves and cabinets - start building today!\" width=\"1529\" height=\"2048\" \/>\n\nFor the face frame section, I used 1\u2033x4\u2033 pine boards ripped to size because then I wouldn\u2019t have to hide the plywood endgrain edges.\n\nIf I did run into a situation where I had to hide the end grain of the plywood, I used wood filler to cover the ends and then sanded it all smooth once it was dry.\n\nYou could also use thin strips of veneer or cut strips of pine to cap the ends as well. If you do this, you will just have to account for the extra material and cut down your plywood or other to allow for the extra width of the veneer or pine boards.\n\nI didn\u2019t go the veneer route as I found it to be very brittle and difficult to deal with. And as I was going to paint the cabinets anyways, using wood filler worked just fine.\n\nIf you follow my design exactly, you\u2019ll see that I built a bit of a hybrid system where I combined features of both faceframe and frameless cabinets.\n\nI built a faceframe that extended out past the face of the cabinet carcasses as this will give you some adjustability when you go to install your cabinets.\n\nBut I kept the inside edge of the faceframe flush with the inside edge of the plywood. Typical faceframe cabinets have a lip that goes all around the inside of the cabinet that reduces the size of the items you can fit inside the cabinet.\n\nI wanted to have all usable space inside the cabinets.\n\n<a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2Dlm5o2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">This is an important detail to know because even though you are building a faceframe for the cabinets, you will need to buy hinges for a frameless cabinet \ud83d\ude42<\/a>\n\nI\u2019ve included the sizes and cut lists below for the cabinets so you can see exactly how I built them.\n\nI didn\u2019t use any fancy dados or anything like that \u2013 just regular <a href=\"https:\/\/timberridgedesigns.com\/what-is-the-best-pocket-hole-jig-what-to-look-for-before-you-buy-one\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pocket holes<\/a> and screws. For me, I love the <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2DE19tw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Milescraft pocket hole jig<\/a> as I\u2019ve found the little magnet they put on it to be like an extra set of hands when you are using a clamp to hold the jig on the plywood. Much better than the <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2DEjCWI\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kreg Jig<\/a>.\n\nBUT the driver bit and screws that come with the Milescraft are no good. The driver bit is a special shape (IE not a standard bit side) and after making a couple sets of cabinets, I stripped the bit to where it wouldn\u2019t work any more. The little edges of the bit are too fine and not hardened enough to stand up to repeated use.\n\nThe solution \u2013 buy<a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2RWwPNR\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> Kreg pocket hole screws<\/a>. They use standard drill bit sizes and will still work if you use the Milescraft jig.\n\nTo sum up \u2013 I would recommend getting the <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2DE19tw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Milescraft pocket hole jig<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2RS42da\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">face clamp\u00a0<\/a>but use <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2RWwPNR\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kreg pocket screws<\/a>.\n\nAnother little thing to keep in mind \u2013 when you\u2019re drilling for the screw holes you want to ensure they are to be drilled on the side opposite the nice side of the plywood.\n\nWhen you\u2019re screwing the parts together, I found it worked well to clamp the wood together and then put the screws in. This way if the plywood has any sort of bow or warp in it, the clamps will hold it in place and then the screw will fasten it together \u2013 rather than the screw having to both pull the parts tight and fasten it as well.\n\nI went about it in the following order:\n\n1) Cut the cabinet sides to size &amp; cut out reliefs on top and bottom for the toe kick and for the board across the top at the back for mounting it to the wall. <em>Remember, you have to keep in mind that you will want the nice face of the plywood on the inside of the cabinets \u2013 so the orientation and where you cut your top and bottom relief will matter.<\/em> Once this was done, I drilled the holes for the shelf pins on the nice side of the plywood to hold shelving on the inside of the cupboards and then pre-drilled all the pocket holes on the OUTSIDE non-sanded face of the plywood at the different places where I would be attaching the face frame, back mounting board, cabinet base shelf.\n\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-179\" src=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/cabinet-sides.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"487\" height=\"331\" srcset=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/cabinet-sides.jpg 487w, https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/cabinet-sides-300x204.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 487px) 100vw, 487px\" \/>\n\n2) Cut the cabinet base to size &amp; drill pocket holes on the outside edges on the non-sanded face of the plywood to attach the faceframe and to attach it to the cabinet sides.\n\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-181\" src=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/cabinet-base.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"521\" height=\"367\" srcset=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/cabinet-base.jpg 521w, https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/cabinet-base-300x211.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 521px) 100vw, 521px\" \/>\n\n3) Cut the back mounting board to size &amp; the upper mounting boards to size &amp; drill pocket holes on both ends of the upper mounting boards.\n\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-180\" src=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Final-bracing-625x461-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"571\" height=\"321\" srcset=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Final-bracing-625x461-1.jpg 571w, https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Final-bracing-625x461-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Final-bracing-625x461-1-554x311.jpg 554w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 571px) 100vw, 571px\" \/>\n\n4) Screw the cabinet base to both of the cabinet sides and then install the upper mounting boards &amp; back mounting boards to the cabinet sides. Make sure that the cabinet is square as you do this by using a square and measuring tape.\n\n5) Rip 1\u2033x4\u2033 pine boards down to size to build the face frame and cut them to size. Then install the face frame around the outside edge of the cabinet base. Remember to keep the inside edge of the faceframe flush with the inside edge of the interior plywood of the cabinet.\n\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-182\" src=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/faceframe.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"541\" height=\"311\" srcset=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/faceframe.jpg 541w, https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/faceframe-300x172.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 541px) 100vw, 541px\" \/>\n\n6) Fill any any joints as required with wood filler \u2013 or you could just leave them if you wanted to. Sand and paint\/stain as required.\n\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-183\" src=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/assembly.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"441\" height=\"384\" srcset=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/assembly.jpg 441w, https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/assembly-300x261.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 441px) 100vw, 441px\" \/>\n\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-185\" src=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/final-assembly-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"565\" height=\"363\" srcset=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/final-assembly-1.jpg 565w, https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/final-assembly-1-300x193.jpg 300w, https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/final-assembly-1-554x356.jpg 554w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 565px) 100vw, 565px\" \/>\n\n7) Then I started working on making the plywood cupboard doors.\n\n\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Plywood_Cupboard_Doors_%E2%80%93_A_Simple_Quick_Solution-2\"><\/span>Plywood Cupboard Doors \u2013 A Simple, Quick Solution<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\nWhen building the plywood <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Cupboard\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">cupboard<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Door\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">doors<\/a> I wanted to make them as quickly and easily as possible.\n\nMost of the door designs out there involve using special router bits to create rail and stile parts that click together.\n\nBut as I just wanted a basic shaker style cabinet, I figured that I could simplify the process by making the doors out of one piece of plywood and then gluing strips of 1\/4\u2033 plywood onto the sanded face in order to give the shaker detail.\n\nBy doing having the doors as one solid piece, the doors won\u2019t pull apart at the joints if the wood expands and contracts \u2013 which would cause the paint to pull away from the joint over time and you would have to touch it up every\u00a0once in a while.\n\nSo I figured it was a win-win because the doors won\u2019t expand and contract wrecking the paint, and it was faster to make them.\n\nAll I did was cut pieces of 3\/4\u2033 plywood to the finished size of the door and then ripped strips of 1\/4\u2033 plywood for the detail and glued it all together. This gave the doors a 1\u2033 thick finished thickness when all was said and done.\n\nThen I used wood filler to hide the edges of the plywood all the way around and sanded it smooth once it was dry.\n\nTo hide the inside edge of the 1\/4\u2033 plywood on the shaker detail, I used a caulking gun with some paintable DAP to both hide the edges and give a little radius to the inside corner of the shaker detail.\n\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-188\" src=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/IMG_1683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1529\" srcset=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/IMG_1683.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/IMG_1683-300x224.jpg 300w, https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/IMG_1683-1024x765.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/IMG_1683-768x573.jpg 768w, https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/IMG_1683-1536x1147.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/IMG_1683-554x414.jpg 554w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/>\n\nI would highly recommend using masking tape to tape off both the top edge and inside edge of the doors before applying the DAP. Leave 1\/8\u2033-1\/4\u2033 of space offset on the inside of the shaker detail when laying out your tape.\n\nThen apply the DAP and using your finger run it along the inside edge of the plywood in order to clean off the excess and leave a slight radius. (By DAP, I\u2019m just meaning some paintable caulking.)\n\nOnce you\u2019ve done this and are happy with how smooth it is, start carefully peeling off the tape to leave a nice clean edge.\n\nWhen this is finished, you\u2019re ready for paint.\n\nOnce painted you can install your hinges and mount them onto the cabinet carcasses.\n\n<a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2TcZjnN\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The Kreg hinge jig couldn\u2019t have worked better<\/a> \u2013 I just set the location of the jig to the hinge manufacturer\u2019s recommended setting and drilled the hole to the proper depth using the jig and everything worked out perfectly.\n\nAfter that, you just need to screw the hinges onto the doors and cabinets and you\u2019re ready to install the finished cabinets!\n\nTo finish everything off, I had some cedar beams ripped to size and used them as tops for the cabinets, placing the live edge to the font so they would be visible.\n\n\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Benefits_of_Built-Ins_Around_Fireplace\"><\/span><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-187\" src=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20210319_173358-rotated.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1440\" srcset=\"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20210319_173358-rotated.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20210319_173358-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20210319_173358-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20210319_173358-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20210319_173358-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20210319_173358-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20210319_173358-554x312.jpg 554w, https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/20210319_173358-1140x640.jpg 1140w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/>Benefits of Built-Ins Around Fireplace<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Its_an_Excellent_Way_to_Add_Decorative_Accents_to_your_Fireplace\"><\/span>1. It's an Excellent Way to Add Decorative Accents to your Fireplace<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/outranking.s3.amazonaws.com\/662416_matt%20hardy\/53057870\/2023-05-24T12%3A53%3A37.971826_fireplace-decor-ideas-1671036738.png\" alt=\"Transform your fireplace with built-ins, the perfect way to decorate and add accents to surrounding rooms with photos and decor.\" \/>\n\nEnhance your home's coziness and aesthetics with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.ph\/diyboards\/diy-built-ins\/\" target=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">built<\/a>-ins around your fireplace. Customization options like glass doors and interior lighting can showcase your favorite decorative pieces. Use the surrounding area to highlight eye-catching decor and create a focal point that adds warmth and style.\n\n\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_It_Makes_the_Fireplace_Look_More_Prominent\"><\/span>2. It Makes the Fireplace Look More Prominent<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/outranking.s3.amazonaws.com\/662416_matt%20hardy\/53057870\/2023-05-24T12%3A56%3A20.794609_bhg-white-living-room-fireplace-windows-8R6A8763HDREdit-ef59923c29c44846be6acd0becc03492.jpg\" alt=\"Maximize your fireplace's impact with built-ins, perfect to decorate surrounding rooms and showcase photos.\" \/>\n\nWhen it comes to making a statement in your living space, nothing says coziness and relaxation quite like a fireplace. Adding built-ins around your fireplace not only creates a consistent look but also enhances its aesthetics and visual appeal. The ample space provided by custom built-ins can be utilized to create stunning visual displays that draw the attention of anyone who walks into the room. Here are three specific examples of how built-ins can enhance the overall appearance of your fireplace:\n\n\n<ol>\n \t\n\n<li>Highlighting Eye-Catching Decor: The surrounding space of the built-ins can be used to highlight eye-catching decor, such as bold decorative items or contrasting colors that stand apart from the room's overall design. By placing these items strategically, you can frame the fireplace and draw everyone's gaze towards it.<\/li>\n\n\n \t\n\n<li>Creating Visual Depth: Shelves are the perfect location to add interest and visual depth through the use of accessories such as vases, potted plants, and vintage books. This can give your fireplace a modern touch or a more traditional look by adding a bold color or wainscotting.<\/li>\n\n\n \t\n\n<li>Mantel-Only Fireplaces: If you have a mantel-only fireplace, adding decorative items to your mantel can help make it the focal point of any room. Use small, color-coded stacks of books or accents in a contrasting color to draw eyes towards your mantel. Focusing on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?q=mantel+amazon&amp;rlz=1C1CHBF_enPH1039PH1039&amp;sxsrf=APwXEddp1GTUWchHlGR9k7A7C8D98_Nljg%3A1685107320108&amp;ei=eLJwZLGdBuuqseMPudqrgAs&amp;ved=0ahUKEwixueT5iZP_AhVrVWwGHTntCrAQ4dUDCA8&amp;uact=5&amp;oq=mantel+amazon&amp;gs_lcp=Cgxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAQAzIFCAAQgAQyBggAEBYQHjIGCAAQFhAeMgYIABAWEB4yBggAEBYQHjIGCAAQFhAeMgYIABAWEB4yBggAEBYQHjIGCAAQFhAeMgYIABAWEB46CggAEEcQ1gQQsAM6CggAEIoFELADEEM6CAgAEIoFEJECOgcIABCABBAKOggIABAWEB4QCkoECEEYAFDgBFiEDWD0D2gBcAF4AIABsQGIAfMHkgEDMC43mAEAoAEBwAEByAEK&amp;sclient=gws-wiz-serp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">mantel decor<\/a> allows you to easily switch out items for each season and holiday, keeping your home fresh and festive with minimal effort.\n\n\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Conceal_Any_Unsightly_Cords_or_Electronics\"><\/span>3. Conceal Any Unsightly Cords or Electronics<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n<\/li>\n\n\n<\/ol>\n\n\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/outranking.s3.amazonaws.com\/662416_matt%20hardy\/53057870\/2023-05-24T12%3A58%3A03.298968_How-to-Hide-TV-Cords-Above-Fireplace-Mantel_3-700x980.jpg\" alt=\"Transform your living space with built-ins around your fireplace, perfect to decorate and conceal cords or electronics in surrounding rooms.\" \/>\n\nBuilt-ins around a fireplace can provide a practical solution for concealing unsightly cords and electronics. With shelves that are deep enough to hold and hide cables, internet and TV cords, you can keep your living space looking tidy and organized. Closed storage with cabinet doors can also help to reduce clutter and provide a more refined appearance. By using unfinished kitchen cabinets, you can easily customize your built-ins to fit your space and needs. Cutting out the backs and fronts of the cabinets can also help to prevent overheating and allow for signal reception from remotes. With built-ins, you can have a functional and stylish solution for hiding cords and electronics in plain sight.\n\n\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Increase_the_Usable_Space_in_your_Home\"><\/span>4. Increase the Usable Space in your Home<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/outranking.s3.amazonaws.com\/662416_matt%20hardy\/53057870\/2023-05-24T12%3A58%3A09.360390_How-to-Hide-TV-Cords-Above-Fireplace-Mantel_5-700x980.jpg\" alt=\"Transform your living space with built-ins around your fireplace, perfect to decorate and conceal cords or electronics in surrounding rooms.\" \/>\n\nCustom built-ins or bookshelves around a fireplace can be a great way to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/lifestyle\/9-ideas-fireplace-built-ins-192321153.html?guccounter=1&amp;guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&amp;guce_referrer_sig=AQAAABshPWNEuc5R8g5yM5Rq9jFGN9L01SEyH2NdbX-E3sElpN1s1uNKid7L0dKN0LdnOMZxdZNPm_rTOuNpfoQ0OR4Pr9agnAXew3qDegR3fJ8eYxnMlWL2JQgjxPjXnvjWKr41Mh00fhXO06VXkwwdDE1PS1IVQZiut9qex3reJd-n\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">increase the usable space in your home<\/a>. You can add shelves or cabinets on the bottom and mirrors on the upper half of the walls to make your living room appear larger and brighter. Closed storage with cabinet doors can provide a refined appearance and help you keep your space organized by tucking away remotes, extra blankets, family games, and more. If your fireplace hearth has an elevated base, extending it to both sides for low shelves or drawers can add storage and more seating, creating a cozy reading spot. With a bit of storage hiding in plain sight, you can make the most of your living room, especially if you're working with a small space.\n\n\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Add_Warmth_and_Coziness_to_your_Home\"><\/span>5. Add Warmth and Coziness to your Home<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/outranking.s3.amazonaws.com\/662416_matt%20hardy\/53057870\/2023-05-26T13%3A25%3A42.326339_41057.jpg\" alt=\"Transform your home with built-ins in fireplace! Decorate and add warmth to your surroundings. See photos and cozy up your rooms!\" \/>\n\nBuilt-ins around a fireplace can add a sense of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.realsimple.com\/home-organizing\/easy-ways-cozy-home\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">warmth and coziness<\/a> to your home. They can create an inviting atmosphere that beckons people to gather around the hearth. With the right decor, the built-ins can enhance the ambiance of the room and make it feel more relaxing and comfortable. From family photos to natural design elements, the options for customization are endless. The warmth of the flames combined with the personalized decor can create a sense of comfort and relaxation that is hard to replicate in any other part of the home.\n\n\/\/ --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Whenever you\u2019re doing a renovation or an update to your house, there always seems to be the need for some sort of custom cupboards or cabinets. There always seems to be a space where the measurements and sizes required are just off enough that you can\u2019t really get away with using some pre-fab off the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":260,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[4],"class_list":["post-177","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-diy-projects","tag-fireplace-built-ins"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/177","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=177"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/177\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":780,"href":"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/177\/revisions\/780"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/260"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=177"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=177"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forthosewhowearthebrand.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=177"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}